HISTORY OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY IN OHIO EDITED BY JOSEPH P. SMITH AND MEMOIRS OF ITS REPRESENTATIVE SUPPORTERS IN TWO IMPERIAL QUARTO VOLUMES VOLUME I GHICAGO THE LEWIS PUBLISHING COMPANY 1898 E PREFACE. VERY intelligent man is a factor in the construction of government, even though he may occupy but a humble sphere in life. Likewise each has more or less influence in the politics of the day. Political platforms and tenets are not the avantinu PUBLISHER'S NOTE. This The printed sheets for this volume were in the bindery when we received notice of the death of Hon. Jos. P. SMITH, which occurred at Miama, Florida, February 5th, 1898. history has been in preparation for nearly two years. We are advised that Mr. SMITH prepared manuscript and notes for completing the work while suffering from severe illness which, except temporary convalescence, continued to the end. CHICAGO, February 8, 1898. The history of a political party comprises not only a record of its promises and accomplished acts, but interwoven in these are the lives and deeds of the men who mold its opinions, guard its good name and, in a great measure, shape its destiny. No man is greater than his party, but, on the contrary, the party is superior to all who achieve prominence through it. Nevertheless, almost every decade there is developed a leader whose personality seems in a remarkable degree to dominate an entire political organization, first in his own State and then in the Nation at large. These men are born leaders. The Republican party of Ohio has had its full share of men who seem to have been especially destined for such distinguished service, and we have faith to believe it will in the future be equally as fortunate. At the very beginning of the career of the party the most casual observer of political events could not have failed to perceive that Ohio Republicans were to occupy a prominent position in its destiny. No one could have imagined, however, that they were to furnish the Nation with several of its Presidents and many other of its most distinguished party |